Blur Review - PS3

Game Description: The next racing game from Bizarre Creations, masterminds of Metropolis Street Racer, Geometry Wars, and Project Gotham Racing. Blur is a more "arcadey" take on the genre, swapping technical racing for power-up fueled destructive mayhem, all within the structure of a faux social-network.

Blur Review

Blur pledges kart-style racing for adults with its combat-infused gameplay mixed with beautifully rendered supercars. But, if you can't release your inner child and dive into some online hijinks, you might have a hard time enjoying this one.

The Pros

Incredibly polished presentation

Plenty of replayability online

Fast-paced online action

The Cons

Racing takes a back seat to fighting

Chaotic online multiplayer gets frustrating

Car physics too far from reality

While the Burnout series waits on an engine rebuild before devastating the competition on-track again, there’s room on the market for a new breed of high-impact, adrenaline-fueled racers. Blur is one of the models trying to fill that void and at the same time, allows developer Bizarre Creations to try and shake itself free of Project Gotham Racing and establish a new franchise. Despite the automotive theme, Blur is a big departure from the various PGR entries, and while this is not necessarily a game for fans of Bizarre’s previous work, those intent on bending fenders will feel a bit more comfortable.

Obvious Comparisons

It’s hard to avoid calling Blur a fusion of Project Gotham Racing and Mario Kart (not unlike calling PGR a hybrid of Gran Turismo and Need for Speed). Take the licensed autos, the superficial crash damage, and the funky presentation of the former then blend in the silly power-ups and the “last to first to last again” frustration of the latter and you have something of an idea of what Bizarre’s latest is all about.

There are multiple gameplay modes at hand here, but the primary one is combat-focused racing. You face off with up to 19 white-knuckled adrenaline junkies and try to complete a number of laps around a variety of circuits faster than everyone else while staying out of trouble and out of those 19 sets of crosshairs.

Scattered about the courses are icons representing each of the eight power-ups available, like the fire-and-forget shunt (ala the red turtle shell), the shock attack (lightning that targets the leaders, not unlike a blue turtle shell), mines, turbo boosts, and shields. Most projectiles can be fired forward or backward and it’s important to use them in both directions. Focus entirely on what’s ahead and an opponent will quickly fill your tailpipe with fire and brimstone, but keep your head on a swivel and you might make it for 30 seconds or so without getting blasted – maybe.

Offline, you’re presented with a series of challenges grouped into nine sets containing things like races, time trials, and some mindless shooting of brain-dead opponents. Complete a set of challenges, then beat an end-boss and you’ll unlock a new special car and a new special ability like boosted shields or extra ammo. Meanwhile, you’ll be earning experience in the form of fans, groupies who show their appreciation of your on-track prowess by filling your garage with savory autos. There is plenty to unlock here and, while it won’t keep you occupied as long as some of Bizarre’s previous efforts, the online component makes up for that.

There the career is much the same, again unlocking cars and power-ups as you earn experience based on how well you perform. Racing with power-ups is still the primary mode, with up to 20 players competing at once, but there is also arena-based combat and even honest-to-gosh racing without weapons. However, that action will leave you wanting thanks to the unrewarding physics. Some cars grip and some cars slip, and while drifting is certainly encouraged it feels far too detached from reality. Meanwhile, “motor mash” arena combat is unsatisfying because the cars are so fast; competitors fly in and out of your sights in a flash, leaving everything chaotic and random. It's less “hunter vs. hunted” as much as it is a barrel full of monkeys -- with guns.

Combat racing is similarly chaotic; it’s played out in a frantic nature that people will either love or hate. You can easily be off in the lead in a race, get knocked over a cliff or into a barricade by an opponent and get zapped again by a mid-pack racer only to find yourself last. From here you might claw your way up to the middle again, but victory will be out of reach. There is certainly skill involved here and a better competitor will finish higher on average, but one great racer won’t be able to fend off attacks from 19 trigger-happy rookies. Bizarre’s previous racers were all about celebrating driving prowess, while Blur embraces random acts of violence. That’s not to say a little carnage can’t be fun, but constantly being pummeled by attacks out of the blue quickly becomes frustrating. Blur’s biggest problem is that unlike a genre standard bearer such as Mario Kart, it throws too many cars at you, and such a high number of weaponized vehicles destroys the balancing. Factor in the idea that Nintendo’s game doles out the power-ups based on your performance and not on a constant location on the race course, and you can see the contrast between an ambitious kart racer and the genre juggernaut.

Thankfully, soothing techno tunes will bring that blood pressure back down as soon as you hit the menus, part of an overall package of audio and visual treats that delight from the first moment the disc loads to the second your once shiny Lotus Exige expires in a dazzling ball of fire. From fireworks popping on the beach to heavy beats stirring from a mid-course nightclub, Bizarre Creations has always paid incredible attention to the little details of a game and has really outdone itself with Blur. Likewise, online performance is solid, and while we did see the occasional car warping, things were generally smooth during my time invested in races. Crazy, but smooth.

Frenzied

In Blur, skill at driving definitely takes a back seat to one’s ability to attack and defend against 19 other cars, which becomes the primary focus here. Instead of finesse-heavy racing made more intense by the addition of power-ups, you have a simplistic driving game flooded with projectiles. There’s certainly a fair amount of fun to be had, but the constant barrage and the bare-bones physics leaves this feeling like any other kart racer: a little bit shallow. That’s fine if you really just want another kart racer (especially one with a lot of goodies to unlock), but not if you were instead hoping for something a little bit special. Blur is a good game, but as a hybrid of two fairly disparate subgenres of racing games, it’s not the dream combination you’d expect.

Comments are Closed

UM.... to Everyone who didn't like this game it is probably because you did NOT understand that IT'S MARIO KART for grown ups just like the review said... its just a game where you can race but have a lil fun blowing up your competition... Good Game reallly like it.. lags alot online tho but oh well

So how come nobody's touch on the "disconnects" that happen online? That's my only grip. Love this game for what it IS. If there is a 2nd one, I hope there is more exotic cars on it. The "A" Class could be better. (The Ford GT should have been "A" Class).

Don't be fooled by the 3/5 rating this game got. It's better than that. Online is done well too. I didn't have to wait forever to play. ModNation Racers took so long to get a multiplayer race going that I lost interest in it. This game does not have that problem and once you get into the online races they are full of fun. I also enjoy the leveling system where the more you race, the more cars you unlock. Even if you're not winning every online race you do, it's still fun.

I think it's convenient for G4 that they have to go to E3 right now and in the coming weeks because it gives them an excuse to not do a video review of Blur where they'll get destroyed by the fan base!

It's too bad this game isn't getting the publicity it deserves!

Looks like we've got to spread the word of mouth about this game and get the cult following going ourselves.

I like how every con listed about the game is exactly what the game was made for. The game is meant to be super-realistic, this ain't no Forza buddy. The chaos in all the races is exactly what makes this Blur and not some other racer. And as for the frustration with the multiplayer, get better. I have definitely been in the top 3 consistently through my races, so there isn't any "luck of the draw" as all you reviewers keep coming up with. The games is a combat game in which you race. Time to take the objectivity out of the review and try some non-biased stuff.

Even if the reviewer doesn't like the 20 player online, there's so many more options to participate in! Yes, the MP is chaotic...IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE!!! IT'S MULTIPLAYER!!! There's still the ability to play 2-10 player. Tim Stevens definitely seems to have rushed through this review. Blur is the first game of this generation to use licensed vehicles with the power up system and real world locations...and I LOVE IT! I wouldn't have had an issue if he gave the game a 4 out of 5, but 3/5 is too harsh. Yes, the single player can be tough and a grind at times, but it's not insurmountable. And I admit that online is difficult at the start, but so is ANY multiplayer game until you gain the skill to start winning! Stevens needs to re-evaluate his score. Notice that there's no video review of this game? I think G4 KNOWS how much heat they'll get if they allow that 3/5 to get broadcast on X-Play! This short-sighted review needs to get canned and have either Sessler or Webb do a new one that takes into account ALL features of the game, plus the most important one...FUN!!! This game is fun no matter if you're first or fighting to avoid last!

i was a huge fan of the beta, not so much the combat racing but the big pit of destruction was my personal favorite...it reminded me more of twisted metal than mario kart, and i miss the hell out of the twisted metal franchise

I've been thrown by a few of g4's reveiw's but this has to be the worst, im all about reveiwers giving their honest opinion but i mean come on this game deserved better, i have Blur and i rented Split Second.. i mean really!? you think Split Second is better??? eh w/e it's your opinion, this review reminds me of the Final Fantasy 13 review, the guy obviously didnt play it "there's not much of a selection of weapons and accesories" okay.. ive got like 106+ hours logged on it and i havent found all the equipment, i just think most g4 reviews try to rush through the game they're reviewing and wtf your cons are retarded "chaotic multiplayer????" it's multiplayer.. ever played MW2? Halo??? Gears? oh i dunno any online mutliplayer??? what a stupid thing to say, and "racing takes a seat back from fighting" it's a kart racer you use weapons, if i want a racing game ill go buy forza, your cons about this game is like you were comparing it to Forza of Split Second, i dont have a giant energy ball i can shoot at people while playing against 19 people in the game gunning for first with 2 turbo's saved up, it's nothing like those game and im very happy with that, trust me dont listen to this reviewer he obviously doesnt know what he's talking about.

How come no kart racing games have been able to match the balance and fairness that is in a mariokart game. It boggles my mind that literally every kart racing game has problems with either rubber band AI or too chaotic gameplay that doesnt reward skill

Good thing I only trust IGN and G4TV. I've actually had the chance to play the game before release. And only G4TV and IGN where able to touch on the down sides of the game. Most other reviewers ignore the bad and ass hump the good.

Top of the review doesn't make sense. Dive into online then it says it's frustrating. This game will wait. I like the comment about Burnout, that's a highlight. Split Second is great. The destruction is impressive, the dam blowing is the top. Vehicles handle like they should. S/S looks awesome it does have some rough lines. I figured Blur would look better

The top of the review doesn't make sense with the online crap. You need to dive into online then it says it's frustrating. I did like the Burnout comment. This game will wait Split Second is impressive. The dam blowing is the coolest thing, well the rest is cool too. Push a button blow up a car, great.

The top of the review doesn't make sense with the online crap. You need to dive into online then it says it's frustrating. I did like the Burnout comment. This game will wait Split Second is impressive. The dam blowing is the coolest thing, well the rest is cool too. Push a button blow up a car, great.

I give this game a 9 out of 10. I had a great time playing the beta and the full game, if the game had real physics, the game would suck. I dont see anyone complaining that master chief can flip a jeep over by himself.

I think this game should have deserved a better review. Blur is Honestly better than split second because in split second you trigger action, in blur, action is always around you. You never know what will happen next. I bought the game on release date because I was so hyped up from the beta. It's really really fun!Anybody who had fun playing beta should definitely get blur. It's single player is hard but that's what makes the game fun. I also don't even care about physics, I own Forza 3 and I play it for hours with my steering wheel. I know about car physics and drifting, but this a mario kart style game (for big boys) and it's an extremely fun game to play, especially with friends :)